The Erie BayHawks had their five-game winning streak snapped in an 106-84 loss to Fort Wayne at Erie Insurance Arena on Saturday night.

The Mad Ants (5-10) won their first road game in seven tries and avenged a season-opening loss to the BayHawks (7-5). Ron Howard and Tony Mitchell each had 26 points to lead Fort Wayne while Henry Sims scored a team-high 22 points for the BayHawks.

Erie won its earlier game, 43-39, against Fort Wayne, which beat Canton in the opening game, 49-41. The three games were only two quarters long. Forward D.J. Kennedy (knee) and point guard Al Nolen (foot) didn’t play for Erie.

Look for the Bayhawks to make some cuts in the next day or so. The BayHawks have until 5 p.m. on Nov. 23 to reach the 10-man roster limit. Before looking at the BayHawks, here’s a quick observation of Fort Wayne and Canton.

Fort Wayne is experienced. Has key returnees in Ron Howard and Walker Russell. Got some solid pick ups in former Michigan State forward Antonio Smith and Marvin Phillips, who was a key contributor for the Iowa Energy.

However, the biggest force the Mad Ants have – Chris Hunter – was in street clothes. The big fella was nearly unstoppable in the D-League. With him, Fort Wayne could be be scary.

Canton – The Charge didn’t finish their second scrimmage with Erie well. Got pretty good talent, but they’re young and didn’t play like a cohesive unit down the stretch against Erie.

Ron Howard and the Fort Wayne Mad Ants have played back-to-back games six times so far.

It’s depresses the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.

In their 18 games this season, the Mad Ants (7-11) have had 12 occur on consecutive days. In back-to-back games, the Mad Ants are 2-4 in the second game, but don’t feel too bad for them.

They had a week off in between two of those back-to-back series, but still that’s rough living right there. The Mad Ants lost the second of back-to-back games Sunday by 30 points, 100-70, to Erie at Tullio Arena after winning the previous night, 89-87, in Erie.

In those situations, Fort Wayne has had to travel in between those games twice and will have to the same this week when it plays at home against Maine on Tuesday and at Erie on Wednesday.

“I don’t want to think about it right now,” Fort Wayne guard Oliver Lafayette said after Sunday’s game.

The BayHawks lost three consecutive times to Maine this past week, but the Mad Ants (4-5) upset the Red Claws in Maine, 113-105. Ironically, former BayHawk guard Oliver Lafayette had a big game against Maine as he scored 20 points on 8-of-16 shooting as a starter. Lafayette went 3-of-6 from 3-point range.